Printwear

August '17

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P R I N T W E A R A U G U S T 2 0 1 7
Becky Mollenkamp is a freelance writer based
in St. Louis, Mo. Her work has appeared in
Bet-
ter Homes & Gardens,
Prevention, and a variety
of B2B publications. In her free time, she runs a
food and music blog at CookingWithVinyl.com.
Balance bold fab-
ric prints with a
simple, single-color
logo. (Image cour-
tesy Stormtech)
Get Out!
Get Out!
Outerwear Trends for Apparel Decoration
B Y B E C K Y
M
O L L E N K A M P
O
uterwear is practical. It's de-
signed to keep you warm or
dry during inclement weath-
er. That doesn't mean it can't
also be a stylish addition to
your wardrobe. In fact, many manufactur-
ers note an uptick in the category.
"Jackets are more popular than I've ever
seen them before," says Brad Rambo, owner
of Independent Trading Company. "There's
more perceived value than a hooded sweat-
shirt but the price is about the same, and
it's a fun printable that can be used in the
same way."
As interest in outerwear increases, so does
demand for its decoration—and manufac-
turers say the possibilities are nearly endless.
MATERIAL MATTERS
In general, most outerwear materials lend
themselves well to decoration. As with any
apparel category, however, not all fabric is
created equal.
"Some fabrics are more complicated than
others," says Doug Jackson, president of
Storm Creek.
For example, Jackson says stretchy, light-
weight fabrics can be complicated for em-
broidery, while looser-knit fabrics like poly-
ester or nylon can be temperamental with
heat making things like heat seals difficult.
Gina Barreca, director of marketing for
Vantage Apparel, expands saying perfor-
mance fabrics can be challenging for em-
broidery. With heavier garments, it can be
important to stitch in areas without seams.
"Also, if you're embroidering a waterproof
garment, what are you doing to the seal?"
she asks. "Will it no longer be waterproof,
and is that ok or will it be an issue for the
customer? Would you be better off decorat-
ing in a zone where you wouldn't have to
worry about that?"